Seven Solutions to Rein In Abuses of Executive Power

According to the Brennan Center's website, the report, "Seven Solutions to Rein In Abuses of Executive Power," was published October 22, 2026[1].The report states that "the growth of executive power is the great constitutional issue of our time."[1]On military deployments, the Brennan Center says the Insurrection Act's criteria for deployment are vague and overbroad, and it provides no express role for Congress or the courts to check abuse[1]. The group proposes that any invocation should expire automatically after seven days unless a simple majority in each house of Congress approves an extension[1].The Brennan Center also recommends a constitutional amendment to restore the principle that presidents, and subordinates following their orders, can be prosecuted for crimes[2]. It argues that the White House is taking advantage of the Supreme Court's 2024 immunity ruling by, for example, seeming to trade pardons for donations[2].On emergency powers, the organization says Congress should make it easier to end national emergency declarations, which it says give the president access to vast powers contained in more than 130 laws[2].On spending, the report says that congressional control of federal funds "is a safeguard against executive overreach."[1]The Brennan Center says this report is part of a series that began with proposals to combat corruption, reform the Supreme Court, unstick Congress, and protect voting rights[1].